Breaking news

Budget re-affirms Iraq commitment

The federal Budget provides a big funding boost for Australia's defence forces and intelligence services, including money to keep Australian forces in Iraq until at least the middle of next year.

As expected, the Budget delivers $270 million extra to Australia's intelligence services, primarily the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS).

Treasurer Peter Costello says intelligence is one of Australia's "key weapons" in the fight against terrorism.

"These agencies will receive additional funding to ensure that they are well equipped to meet the challenges of the current security environment," Mr Costello said in his Budget speech.

Among the funding, ASIO will receive an extra $127 million over four years to hire more staff.

"This means more intelligence officers, more checks and more sharing of information with other intelligence agencies to close the net on would-be terrorists."

Other national security and defence initiatives include:

$132 million to maintain the Australian Defence Force's role in the reconstruction and stabilisation of Iraq until the end of the 2004-05 financial year;

$20 million to extend Australia's contribution to the United Nations mission in East Timor and nearly $94 million to continue the Australian Federal Police's role in East Timor;

$50 million over four years to help protect critical infrastructure such as power and water supplies, and national icons like the Sydney Opera House'

$357 million to pay for improved housing for ADF personnel who do not have dependent children;

$7.4 million to ASIO and $13 million to the ADF to assist with security at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006;

$6.2 million to keep the National Security Hotline operating;

$2.8 million this financial year so the Australian Customs Service can board up to 80 per cent of all vessels at their first port of arrival in Australia;

$150 million to strengthen border control measures, including the development of biometric technology to fight identity fraud and an upgrade of visa processing systems.

As Prime Minister John Howard foreshadowed ahead of the Budget, the Government will spend almost $40 million over four years for community-based crime prevention programs.

Mr Costello also revealed that extra money will be spent to put sky marshals on more international flights to more locations.